In today’s newsletter:

• News - 🚨 Newsom Vetoes CA’s Groundbreaking AI Safety Bill

• Productivity - 🎥 Boost Your Training with Synthesia’s AI Video Tool

• Culture - 🚔 UK Police Test AI to Solve Cold Cases Faster

🚨 Newsom Vetoes CA’s Groundbreaking AI Safety Bill

Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed California’s ambitious AI safety bill, S.B. 1047, which aimed to regulate large AI systems by mandating safety testing and introducing a “kill switch” for extreme situations like biowarfare or mass casualties. Newsom acknowledged the bill’s intent but criticized its focus on the largest AI models, arguing that it overlooked other important risks. He called for a more balanced approach, involving input from AI experts in both academia and business, and hinted at revisiting the bill in the next legislative session.

The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with tech giants like Google and OpenAI opposing the bill due to fears it would stifle innovation, especially for smaller startups. Meanwhile, high-profile figures like Elon Musk and a group of academics, including AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, supported the bill, citing the urgent need for regulation to prevent AI from causing serious harm. With federal AI legislation still lagging, California’s attempt to lead the way has been put on hold for now, leaving the future of AI regulation in the U.S. uncertain.

🗞️ In Other News…

• Tech companies are racing to secure power for AI data centers, but overcrowded grids and transmission constraints are causing delays and driving utilities to consider costly infrastructure upgrades, potentially leaving customers with higher rates if demand doesn't materialize.

• Apple has withdrawn from OpenAI’s $6.5 billion funding round, while Microsoft, Nvidia, and others remain in talks to invest as the company transitions to a for-profit model.

• MIT chemists have developed a generative AI model called Crystalyze that can accurately predict the structures of powdered crystalline materials, potentially accelerating research in fields like battery development and magnet design.

• The Justice Department’s updated compliance guidance now urges companies to assess AI-related risks, strengthen data usage in compliance programs, and promote whistleblower protections to align with evolving technologies and ethical practices.

🎥 Boost Your Training with Synthesia’s AI Video Tool

Synthesia is a top-tier AI video generator used by major brands like Google, Nike, and the BBC. It offers a range of realistic AI avatars, along with over 120 languages and voice tones, allowing you to create videos that perfectly align with your brand’s style. You can even customize your own avatar or clone your voice, making it easier than ever to produce engaging, professional content.

One of Synthesia's standout features is its ability to create interactive training videos. Instead of long, tedious PDFs, you can simply upload a script, pick an avatar, and let the AI handle the rest. With access to millions of soundtracks, images, and 65+ video templates, Synthesia is perfect for businesses looking to streamline their video production process.

🎭 Deepfake Impersonator Targets Senator Cardin

A deepfake impersonator recently posed as Ukraine’s former foreign minister in a videoconference with Senator Benjamin Cardin, raising alarm. The impersonator initially seemed convincing but raised red flags by asking politically charged questions, such as about missile strikes into Russian territory. Cardin ended the call and reported it to authorities, who confirmed the impersonation.

This incident has heightened concerns about foreign actors using AI and deepfakes to target U.S. lawmakers, especially with the upcoming election. Intelligence officials have warned that countries like Russia, Iran, and China are ramping up their use of AI for election interference. Senate security has urged lawmakers to stay alert, given the sophistication of this attack.

Job Opportunities

• Contextual AI: Data Team Lead: General Track

• Weights & Biases: AI Engineer, GenAI Enterprise Accelerator - San Francisco

• Waymo: Staff Software Engineer, Evaluation Quality

• Waymo: Director of Engineering, Machine Learning

• Meta: Mechanical Engineer

VC Fundraising Rounds

• Mind Network secured $10 million in a Pre-A funding round to accelerate the development of its Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) infrastructure, strengthening its role in AI and PoS Networks. (9/27/24)

• Mendaera secured $73 million in venture capital funding to further develop its handheld robotics platform for needle-based percutaneous procedures, including biopsy, vascular access, and pain management. (9/26/24)

• Mediwhale, an AI-powered health diagnostics company, announced it has secured $12 million in Series A2 funding. (9/26/24)

• Supabase Inc., an open-source application development platform and Postgres database service provider, announced it has secured $80 million in new funding, bringing its total raised to $196 million. (9/25/24)

• Vsim, a Manchester-based startup developing a new physics simulation framework, has raised $21.5 million in seed funding. (9/25/24)

Earn Free Rewards 🎁 

Get rewarded for helping others level up their AI game 👇️

25 referrals - 30 minute chat with Ben Chon, founder of rareliquid

1 referral - Daily VC AI Fundraising Tracker

You currently have 0 referrals.

Copy & paste this link: https://www.rarecandyai.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER